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Earnings release · 8-K Exhibit 99

Acuity Brands · Earnings release · 8-K Exhibit 99

AYI · Industrials

Filed 2026-01-08 · CY2026 Q1 · Company’s FY2026 Q1 · 3,177 words

Read the original on sec.gov ↗

Palanor summary

Acuity reported first quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of $1.1 billion, a 20% increase from the prior year. Adjusted operating profit grew 24% to $196 million, with the margin expanding 50 basis points to 17.2%. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 18% to $4.69. The company generated $141 million in cash from operations, repurchased $28 million of shares, and repaid $100 million of term-loan borrowings. The AIS segment contributed significantly to growth following the QSC acquisition.

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EX-99.12ayi-20260108x8xk_ex991.htmEX-99.1 Document

Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

Investor Contact:

Charlotte McLaughlin

Vice President, Investor Relations

(404) 853-1456

investorrelations@acuityinc.com

Media Contact:

April Appling

Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications

corporatecommunications@acuityinc.com

Acuity Reports Fiscal 2026 First-Quarter Results

Strong Performance Delivers Sales Growth, Margin Expansion and EPS Improvement

■Delivered Net Sales of $1.1B, an Increase of 20% Compared to the Prior Year

■Delivered Operating Profit of $160M, Up 20% Compared to the Prior Year; Grew Adjusted Operating Profit to $196M, Up 24% Compared to the Prior Year

■Delivered Diluted EPS of $3.82, Up 14% Compared to the Prior Year; Grew Adjusted Diluted EPS to $4.69, Up 18% Compared to the Prior Year

ATLANTA, January 8, 2026 - Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI), ("Acuity"), a market-leading industrial technology company, delivered net sales of $1.1 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 ended November 30, 2025, an increase of $192.1 million, or 20.2 percent, compared to the prior year.

"We delivered strong performance in our first quarter of fiscal 2026," stated Neil Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Inc. "We grew net sales, we expanded our adjusted operating profit and adjusted operating profit margin, and we increased our adjusted diluted earnings per share. We generated strong cash flow and allocated capital effectively."

Operating profit was $160.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $27.1 million, or 20.3 percent, compared to the prior year. Operating profit as a percent of net sales was 14.0 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, flat compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was $196.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $37.6 million, or 23.7 percent, compared to the prior year. T1Adjusted operating profit as a percent of net sales was 17.2 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of 50 basis points compared to the prior year.

Diluted earnings per share was $3.82 in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $0.47, or 14.0 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $4.69 in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $0.72, or 18.1 percent.

1

Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

Segment Performance

T2Acuity Brands Lighting ("ABL")

ABL generated net sales of $895.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $9.1 million, or 1.0 percent, compared to the prior year.

Operating profit was $149.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $5.7 million, or 4.0 percent, compared to the prior year. Operating profit as a percent of ABL net sales was 16.6 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of 40 basis points compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was $159.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $6.3 million, or 4.1 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit as a percent of ABL net sales was 17.9 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of 60 basis points compared to the prior year.

Acuity Intelligent Spaces ("AIS")

T3AIS generated net sales of $257.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $183.9 million, compared to the prior year. Included in fiscal 2026 net sales are three months of QSC performance.

Operating profit was $37.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $26.2 million compared to the prior year. Operating profit as a percent of AIS net sales was 14.4 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, a decrease of 30 basis points compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was $56.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $41.2 million compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit as a percent of AIS net sales was 22.0 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of 100 basis points compared to the prior year.

Cash Flow and Capital Allocation

T4Net cash from operating activities was $140.8 million for the first three months of fiscal 2026. T5During the quarter, we repurchased approximately 77,000 shares of common stock for around $28 million, and repaid $100.0 million of term-loan borrowings.

Call Details

We will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET today, Thursday, January 8, 2026. Neil Ashe, Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Inc. will lead the call. The conference call and earnings release can be accessed via our Investor Relations section of our website at www.investors.acuityinc.com. A replay of the call will also be posted to the Investor Relations website within two hours of the completion of the conference call and will be available on the website for a limited time.

About Acuity

Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives.

We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on

2

Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals.

Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuityinc.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release includes the following non-generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) financial measures: “adjusted operating profit” and “adjusted operating profit margin” for total company and by segment; for total company only we additionally include: “adjusted net income;” “adjusted diluted EPS;” “earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”);" "EBITDA margin;" “adjusted EBITDA;” and "adjusted EBITDA margin." These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the reader's overall understanding of our current financial performance and prospects for the future. Specifically, management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors by excluding or adjusting items for amortization of acquired intangible assets, share-based payment expense, and acquisition-related costs.

We also provide “free cash flow” (“FCF”) for the total company to enhance the reader’s understanding of our ability to generate additional cash from its business.

Management typically adjusts for these items for internal reviews of performance and uses the above non-GAAP measures for baseline comparative operational analysis, decision making and other activities. Management believes these non-GAAP measures provide greater comparability and enhanced visibility into our results of operations as well as comparability with many of its peers, especially those companies focused more on technology and software. Non-GAAP financial measures included in this news release should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The most directly comparable GAAP measures for adjusted operating profit and adjusted operating profit margin for total company and by segment are “operating profit” and “operating profit margin,” respectively, which include the impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets, share-based payment expense, and acquisition-related costs. Adjusted operating profit margin is adjusted operating profit divided by net sales for total company and by segment. The most directly comparable GAAP measures for adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS are “net income” and “diluted EPS,” respectively, which include the impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets, share-based payment expense, and acquisition-related costs. Adjusted diluted EPS is adjusted net income divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

The most directly comparable GAAP measure for EBITDA is “net income”, which includes the impact of net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization of acquired intangible assets. EBITDA margin is EBITDA divided by net sales. The most directly comparable GAAP measure for adjusted EBITDA is “net income,” which includes the impact of net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, share-based payment expense, acquisition-related costs, and miscellaneous (income) expense, net. Adjusted EBITDA margin is adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales. A reconciliation of each measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is available in the appendix of this news release.

T6We define FCF as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment. A calculation of this measure is available in this news release.

3

Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, have limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. Our presentation of such measures, which may include adjustments to exclude unusual or non-recurring items, should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by other unusual or non-recurring items.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that describe or relate to our plans, initiatives, projections, vision, goals, targets, commitments, expectations, objectives, prospects, strategies, or financial outlook, and the assumptions underlying or relating thereto. In some cases, we may use words such as “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “indicate,” “project,” “predict,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “potential,” and words of similar meaning, as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions, or circumstances, to identify forward-looking statements.

We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Act. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Our forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions, which may not prove to be accurate, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors, many of which are outside of our control and any of which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K (including, but not limited to, the sections titled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"), quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. This press release is not comprehensive, and for that reason, should be read in conjunction with such filings. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect any events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

ACUITY INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except per-share data)

November 30, 2025

August 31, 2025

(unaudited)

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

376.1

$

422.5

Accounts receivable, less reserve for doubtful accounts of $4.1 and $4.3, respectively

565.3

593.9

Inventories

518.1

526.7

Prepayments and other current assets

122.0

108.4

Total current assets

1,581.5

1,651.5

Property, plant, and equipment, net

345.0

343.2

Operating lease right-of-use assets

103.6

97.4

Goodwill

1,492.6

1,495.5

Intangible assets, net

1,074.8

1,099.0

Deferred income taxes

12.3

23.4

Other long-term assets

42.3

45.2

Total assets

$

4,652.1

$

4,755.2

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

396.2

$

454.5

Current operating lease liabilities

25.4

23.3

Accrued compensation

86.2

110.0

Other current liabilities

254.6

258.0

Total current liabilities

762.4

845.8

Long-term debt

797.0

896.8

Long-term operating lease liabilities

87.7

84.3

Accrued pension liabilities

39.6

39.2

Deferred income taxes

24.6

24.9

Other long-term liabilities

146.8

139.3

Total liabilities

1,858.1

2,030.3

Stockholders’ equity:

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 50.0 shares authorized; none issued

—

—

Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 500.0 shares authorized; 55.0 and 54.9 issued, respectively

0.6

0.5

Paid-in capital

1,151.0

1,164.7

Retained earnings

4,401.0

4,285.8

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(81.4)

(76.5)

Treasury stock, at cost, of 24.3 and 24.2 shares, respectively

(2,677.2)

(2,649.6)

Total stockholders’ equity

2,794.0

2,724.9

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

4,652.1

$

4,755.2

5

Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

ACUITY INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(In millions, except per-share data)

Three Months Ended

November 30, 2025

November 30, 2024

Net sales

$

1,143.7

$

951.6

Cost of products sold

589.9

502.3

Gross profit

553.8

449.3

Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses

393.4

316.0

Operating profit

160.4

133.3

Other expense (income):

Interest expense (income), net

8.4

(4.0)

Miscellaneous (income) expense, net

(0.6)

2.5

Total other expense (income)

7.8

(1.5)

Income before income taxes

152.6

134.8

Income tax expense

32.1

28.1

Net income

$

120.5

$

106.7

Earnings per share(1):

Basic earnings per share

$

3.92

$

3.45

Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding

30.705

30.930

Diluted earnings per share

$

3.82

$

3.35

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding

31.561

31.799

Dividends declared per share

$

0.17

$

0.15

(1) Earnings per share is calculated using unrounded numbers. Amounts in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding.

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Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

ACUITY INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In millions)

Three Months Ended

November 30, 2025

November 30, 2024

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$

120.5

$

106.7

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

38.3

21.6

Share-based payment expense

12.5

12.1

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions

Accounts receivable

28.0

25.2

Inventories

7.1

(5.1)

Prepayments and other current assets

(10.2)

(1.8)

Accounts payable

(51.4)

(14.5)

Other operating activities

(4.0)

(12.0)

Net cash provided by operating activities

140.8

132.2

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

(26.0)

(18.9)

Other investing activities

(0.3)

0.5

Net cash used for investing activities

(26.3)

(18.4)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Repayments of term loan borrowings

(100.0)

—

Repurchases of common stock

(27.1)

(6.7)

Proceeds from stock option exercises and other

1.4

15.6

Payments of taxes withheld on net settlement of equity awards

(27.6)

(23.1)

Dividends paid

(5.3)

(4.5)

Other financing activities

(2.1)

—

Net cash used for financing activities

(160.7)

(18.7)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(0.2)

(5.3)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

(46.4)

89.8

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

422.5

845.8

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

376.1

$

935.6

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Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

ACUITY INC.

DISAGGREGATED NET SALES

(In millions)

The following tables show net sales by channel for the periods presented:

Three Months Ended

November 30, 2025

November 30, 2024

Increase (Decrease)

Percent Change

Acuity Brands Lighting:

Independent sales network

$

666.3

$

643.9

$

22.4

3.5

%

Direct sales network

90.4

107.2

(16.8)

(15.7)

%

Retail sales

46.8

44.9

1.9

4.2

%

Corporate accounts

39.9

32.7

7.2

22.0

%

Original equipment manufacturer and other

51.7

57.3

(5.6)

(9.8)

%

Total Acuity Brands Lighting

895.1

886.0

9.1

1.0

%

Acuity Intelligent Spaces

257.4

73.5

183.9

250.2

%

Eliminations

(8.8)

(7.9)

(0.9)

11.4

%

Total

$

1,143.7

$

951.6

$

192.1

20.2

%

8

Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

ACUITY INC.

Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Measures

The tables below reconcile certain GAAP financial measures to the corresponding non-GAAP measures for total Company as well as our reportable operating segments (in millions except per share data):

Three Months Ended

November 30, 2025

November 30, 2024

Increase (Decrease)

Percent Change

Net sales

$

1,143.7

$

951.6

$

192.1

20.2

%

Operating profit (GAAP)

$

160.4

$

133.3

$

27.1

20.3

%

Percent of net sales (GAAP)

14.0

%

14.0

%

—

bps

Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets

23.4

8.7

Add-back: Share-based payment expense

12.5

12.1

Add-back: Acquisition-related costs (1)

—

4.6

Adjusted operating profit (Non-GAAP)

$

196.3

$

158.7

$

37.6

23.7

%

Percent of net sales (Non-GAAP)

17.2

%

16.7

%

50

bps

Net income (GAAP)

$

120.5

$

106.7

$

13.8

12.9

%

Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets

23.4

8.7

Add-back: Share-based payment expense

12.5

12.1

Add-back: Acquisition-related costs (1)

—

4.6

Total pre-tax adjustments to net income

35.9

25.4

Income tax effects

(8.3)

(5.8)

Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)

$

148.1

$

126.3

$

21.8

17.3

%

Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)

$

3.82

$

3.35

$

0.47

14.0

%

Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)

$

4.69

$

3.97

$

0.72

18.1

%

Net income (GAAP)

$

120.5

$

106.7

$

13.8

12.9

%

Percent of net sales (GAAP)

10.5

%

11.2

%

(70)

bps

Interest expense (income), net

8.4

(4.0)

Income tax expense

32.1

28.1

Depreciation

14.9

12.9

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

23.4

8.7

EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

199.3

152.4

46.9

30.8

%

Percent of net sales (Non-GAAP)

17.4

%

16.0

%

140

bps

Share-based payment expense

12.5

12.1

Acquisition-related costs (1)

—

4.6

Miscellaneous (income) expense, net

(0.6)

2.5

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

$

211.2

$

171.6

$

39.6

23.1

%

Percent of net sales (Non-GAAP)

18.5

%

18.0

%

50

bps

(1) Acquisition-related items include professional fees.

9

Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

Three Months Ended

Acuity Brands Lighting

November 30, 2025

November 30, 2024

Increase (Decrease)

Percent Change

Net sales

$

895.1

$

886.0

$

9.1

1.0

%

Gross profit (GAAP)

$

400.6

$

406.4

$

(5.8)

(1.4)

%

Gross profit margin (GAAP)

44.8

%

45.9

%

(110)

bps

Operating profit (GAAP)

$

149.0

$

143.3

$

5.7

4.0

%

Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets

6.2

5.9

Add-back: Share-based payment expense

4.6

4.3

Adjusted operating profit (Non-GAAP)

$

159.8

$

153.5

$

6.3

4.1

%

Operating profit margin (GAAP)

16.6

%

16.2

%

40

bps

Adjusted operating profit margin (Non-GAAP)

17.9

%

17.3

%

60

bps

Three Months Ended

Acuity Intelligent Spaces

November 30, 2025

November 30, 2024

Increase (Decrease)

Percent Change

Net sales

$

257.4

$

73.5

$

183.9

250.2

%

Gross profit (GAAP)

$

153.2

$

42.9

$

110.3

257.1

%

Gross profit margin (GAAP)

59.5

%

58.4

%

110

bps

Operating profit (GAAP)

$

37.0

$

10.8

$

26.2

242.6

%

Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets

17.2

2.8

Add-back: Share-based payment expense

2.4

1.8

Adjusted operating profit (Non-GAAP)

$

56.6

$

15.4

$

41.2

267.5

%

Operating profit margin (GAAP)

14.4

%

14.7

%

(30)

bps

Adjusted operating profit margin (Non-GAAP)

22.0

%

21.0

%

100

bps

Three Months Ended

November 30, 2025

November 30, 2024

Increase (Decrease)

Percent Change

Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)

$

140.8

$

132.2

$

8.6

6.5

%

Less: Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

(26.0)

(18.9)

Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)

$

114.8

$

113.3

$

1.5

1.3

%

10

Mentions · how they’re counted

CategoryUnderlinedWord counterModel’s count
AI

AI, artificial intelligence, generative AI, machine learning, large language model, LLM

0—0
Layoffs

layoffs, RIF, headcount reduction, workforce optimization, restructuring

0—0
Recession

recession, downturn, contraction, slowdown

0—0
Tariffs

tariff, trade war, trade barriers, trade restrictions, trade policy

0—0
Buybacks

share repurchase, buyback program

0—1

Underlines use the same word lists the scores use. AI, recession and tariffs follow Palanor’s word counter, so those counts match it exactly on the same text. Layoffs and buybacks use the terms the model was given. The model’s count is an estimate by meaning, not by string, so it can differ from the underlines.

Source: SEC EDGAR · public domain · Highlights by Palanor